Randolph Carter Berkeley (January 9, 1875 – January 31, 1960) was a Major General in United States Marine Corps and Medal of Honor recipient. Commissioned a Marine second lieutenant during the Spanish–American War, Berkeley completed over 40 years' active duty in the Marine Corps, including service at sea and in the Philippines, Cuba, Panama, China, Haiti, Nicaragua and Guam. In addition to the Medal of Honor, he was awarded the Navy Cross as commander of the 11th Regiment in Nicaragua in 1927, and the Navy Distinguished Service Medal as Chief of Staff of the 2d Marine Brigade in that country in 1928–29. As a major Berkeley was commanding the 1st Battalion of the 2d Advanced Base Regiment when he took part in the action which earned him the United States' highest decoration on April 22, 1914. Relations between the United States and the Huerta government of Mexico had been strained for some time, and a landing force of Marines and sailors was ordered ashore at Vera Cruz after a Huerta officer had arrested several U.S. Naval personnel at Tampico. The 2nd Regiment was the first ashore, meeting resistance from Mexican troops about noon on April 21. Major Berkeley was awarded the Medal of Honor for distinguished conduct and leadership in that battle. Early life Randolph C. Berkeley was born on January 9, 1875, in Staunton, Virginia, where he attended grade and high school. He graduated from Potomac Academy in Alexandria, Virginia in 1891. Military career Berkeley was appointed a Marine second lieutenant on August 8, 1898, for service during the Spanish–American War. He was stationed at the Navy Yard, Washington, D.C., until he was honorably discharged on January 9, 1899. He returned to the Corps in April 1899, when he was appointed a first lieutenant. His subsequent promotions included: captain, July 1900; major, October 1910; lieutenant colonel, August 1916; colonel, July 1918; brigadier general, July 1930; and major general on retirement, February 1939. In addition to his service at posts in the United States, Berkeley served on a variety of assignments at sea and abroad before the action at Vera Cruz, for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor. He served aboard the from October 1899 to March 1901; in the Philippines from April to June 1901; aboard the from July 1901 to August 1902; on expeditionary duty in Panama from December 1904 to August 1906; on expeditionary duty